New to the forum and current owner of #2127, having just recently purchased the car . I am working through a pretty big parts and resto list, but am stuck trying to find out more information about this part. I know its NLA...figure that I will have to do some creative fabrication. Does anybody have any info, dimensions or photos that show the knob and cable assembly and how it attaches to the internal flapper valves? Anybody have any of the parts for sale?
Thanks,
Rick
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For those of you familiar with a '71 Cougar....this knob looks almost identical to the knobs used on the radio.
Is the riveted instruction plate original? Please tell me that it wasn’t so my faith in Italian design will be maintained!!!!!
Perhaps someone can weigh in. Certainly appears retrofitted as a design element consistent with what Ford/Mercury had implemented in the Cougar by way of the knob design for instance. My car has the hole in the console for the knob/cable assembly, but I haven't yet discovered any rivet holes . While not absolutely identical, I assume that these knobs didn't just happen independently of each other.
It is the knob and cable that sends heat to your legs when desired. It actuates a flap in the blower box that redirects air flow. The one that came with my Pushbutton car had a problem with the chrome peeling off the knob. I got a better one from Wilkinson that was used. It was his last one. I just now looked for my old one but it looks like I tossed it. Below is a photo of it installed and working correctly.
Do you have the knob and cable? Are you having trouble with your current parts?
"Is the riveted instruction plate original? Please tell me that it wasn’t so my faith in Italian design will be maintained!!!!!"
No, they were not riveted and were attached with small screws. I have had two Panteras with this setup and both had screws for the little placard.
Thanks Steve - actually it is the placard that I find hideous!! It looks like something you might see on a tractor, milk truck, vending machine - not a fine Italian automobile. When I first saw a pic of it, I thought it was added by an owner!
I'm shocked at how/why a design studio would do this (sorry - I spent many years as an automotive program manager working with the design studios - they would lose their minds over this)!
Actually, right now all that I have is a hole in the console . I spoke with Wilkinson and he said that the parts are not available from anybody. I was going to use the knob that I sourced (since it looks pretty close) and modify it to accept the end of a choke cable and then go from there. Any other details of the cable , round face plate, anything would be helpful since there are not any real details of this. Based on the photos, it appears to me that the round face plate is an injected molded plastic piece? Is what I am seeing a mold line? Any information photos or spare parts would be most appreciated, since Wilkinson said that there wasn't enough demand to fabricate this part for sale. As far as the faceplate....I have a source that can laser cut letters on plastic following any design. I may have them ultimately fabricate the plate, but keep it aside for later use. If anybody has any of the parts for sale, for duplication or just for information please let me know.
I sold a Pull For Floor placard with screws to Don Byars (Full Throttle Panteras) a while back. Maybe he is not using it and maybe he has a cable or knows of one.
The black round base is as pictured. It is the mount that goes into the square hole. I think you are on track if you need to make one.
Let me know if you need more pictures although it maybe some time before I can take them.
Steve, thanks. I will reach out to him. Pictures would be great as time allows, since I don't have anything that shows me what's happening under the console. I know you are busy. Thanks again
My s/n 1744 has the vent pull and the instruction sign is original and is rivited, not screwed on. I have always wondered if this was a modification done by Ford once the cars reached the US.
So I managed to find the cable assembly....everything up to the flapper valve. Still need the bracket and cable clamp, but this was a great find. I will need to restore the chrome knob. I have the small plastic placard as well...thinking it was screwed into the console by the previous Owner. Thanks for the help.
Rick
It looks like you don't need it now but I found my cable. The chrome is chipped and a wing is missing. Let me know if you need it.
Ford hired Bill Stropp (Long Beach) to perform a lot of mods / improvements to the early '71 cars. The above was one such mod, dubbed "Field Fix". It also included adding a third dash vent.
The "PULL FOR FLOOR" placard was riveted in place.
John
